Barron's vs. Princeton Review: Which test prep book is better?

Hey guys, I'm preparing for my SATs and wondering which test prep book I should go for - Barron's or Princeton Review? I'm looking for a book that's more effective in helping me improve my skills and score. Can you share your experiences with either of these books? Thank you!

Hi there! Both Barron's and Princeton Review are well-known test prep book brands, but their approaches and content differ.

Barron's test prep books are generally regarded as more rigorous and have more difficult practice questions compared to the actual SAT. This can be advantageous if you're already scoring well and need extra challenges to hone your skills. However, it might seem overwhelming if you're just starting out. Barron's also provides detailed content review, which can be helpful if you need to build a strong foundation in a subject.

The Princeton Review, on the other hand, tends to have more approachable practice questions that are closer in difficulty to the actual SAT. Their books often focus on test-taking strategies and tips. This can be particularly beneficial if you're looking to become more efficient in tackling the test. Additionally, the Princeton Review books usually contain a good balance of content review and practice questions.

Ultimately, the best choice for you depends on your current skill level, learning style, and preferences. If you're just starting out, personally, I would recommend trying the Princeton Review. It's friendlier and provides solid test-taking strategies. As you progress, you may want to try Barron's if you're aiming for top-tier scores and want to challenge yourself with more difficult practice questions.

Good luck with your SAT preparation! Keep in mind that using multiple resources can be beneficial, so consider leveraging other materials like Khan Academy or CollegeVine, especially since they offer free resources.